Scaffolding construction



R. W. AHLBERG SCAFFOLDING CONSTRUCTION Feb. 7, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 25, 1965 INVENTOR. M 41956.5?6

VQW/XZQA ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1967 R. w. AHLBERG SCAFFOLDING CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets--Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1965 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1967 R, W, 1 B RG 3,302,751

S CAFFOLDI NG CONSTRUCTI ON Filed Jan. 25, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BYQ W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 3,302,751 SCAFFOLDING C(DNSTRUCTIUN Russell W. Ahlberg, 1028 Walsh SE,

Grand Rapids, Mich. 49507 Fiied Jan. 25, 1965, Ser. No. 427,895 Ill Claims. (Cl. 182--118) This invention relates to scaffolding constructions, and more particularly to a new and unique form of extendable scaffolding having a substantially rigid and uniform design making it possible to move and reposition the unit without the necessity of completely disassembling it each time.

Many forms of scaffolding have been used in the past by workmen laboring both inside and outside in construction and maintenance operations. The main concept underlying such scaffolding was merely to provide an elevated horizontal walkway, and consequently the simplest structures included only some sore of flat planking supported at each end by vertical towers or other supporting s structure. There have been many different variations upon this most basic structure, but it may generally be said that they all remain basically the same in general concept. While such scaffolding structures have been widely used and have many desirable advantages, they likewise all suffer from common limitation and shortcomings.

Basically, these limitations lie in the fact that the scaffolding is a loose and unwieldy structure which is usually assembled as needed, and additional vertical and horizontal elements are added as the work develops and the need presents itself. When it must be moved, such scaffolding must be completely disassembled, moved piece by piece, and then reassembled at the new location. This involves a manifest waste of time and effort and, consequently, of money. Moreover, it is difficult and somewhat risky to raise the additional new components and elements up to the level where they are needed when the scaffolding is to be made either higher or Wider, and this risk continues after the parts are raised and during the time they are placed into position.

Other limitations of present scaffolding constructions are that at least two, and generally a great many more, vertical support towers are needed, since the planking must be supported at each end. These towers are expensive, and consequently the great number of them required necessitates a considerable outlay of capital if an organization is to have enough scaffolding to adequately perform the work required of it. Furthermore, when the terrain is irregular or uneven underfoot, as is most often the case, the individual towers have uneven footings and tend to be unsteady, and further more their horizontal braces used for supporting the planking become positioned at different vertical levels and therefore the planking itself is not horizontal but is positioned at some angle of inclination. This results in further hazard to workmen and further difficulty in efficiently erforming the work, since care must constantly be exercised in order to avoid accidents.

The scaffolding construction of the present invention has as its major object the effective resolution of all of the foregoing difficulties and limitations of present scaffolding. Accordingly, this invention provides scaffolding having a unitary concept, which is substantially rigid in use so as to be movable as a single unit from one position to another. This obviates the necessity of completely disassembling the structure in order to move it. The scaffolding of the present invention further permits easy assembly of the complete structure while on the ground, and a way is provided to easily raise the entire structure into vertical position once it is assembled,

3,392,751 Patented Feb. 7, 1967 thereby eliminating the hadards and the losses in time and efficiency that occur when the workmen are compelled to erect further scaffolding at a subsequent time, as the work progresses.

The scaffolding of the present invention further utilizes a single central tower rather than multiple towers, and consequently it effects great savings in capital expenditures. The invention also provides longitudinally extendable planking means which are supported at their outstretched ends to permit the entire scaffolding construction to be laterally extended or retracted as the need may require. The invention further includes securely fastening the extendable planking to the single tower supporting it, so that extension of the planking may be accomplished when desired, but is positively prevented at all other times,

These and other desirable features and advantages of the present invention will become increasingly clear upon consideration of the following specification and its appended claims, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings setting forth a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete scaffolding assembly standing in its normal vertical position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the attachment of planking to end support;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the extendable planking at the center of the tower;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred means for securing the planking to the tower;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing features of the vertical supports for the planking;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective showing the bottom of the structure of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom portion of the tower structure, showing various details thereof.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a form of scaffolding construction having a single centrally positioned tower structure, with longitudinally extendable planking fixedly secured at its center to the tower extending in opposite directions laterally there-of, and vertically-oriented support means at the extended ends of the planking. The said planking ends are attached to the vertical supporting means, so that when the planking is secured to the tower at a given extended position, a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which may be moved and repositioned whenever desired without the necessity of completely disassembling the scaffolding.

For facilitating both the movement of the complete structure and its erecting into vertical position, the tower is preferably mounted upon a pallet structure, and the mounting is preferably a pivotal one, so that the tower may be hinged or pivoted from a prone position upon the ground to a vertical position atop the pallet. Further, the vertically-oriented support means at the extended ends of the planking are equipped with a foot structure. This foot structure is what contacts the surface of the ground under the supports, and means for adjustment are provided between the foot structure and the support, so that in the event that the terrain upon which the tower and its pallet rest is at a different level than that beneath the foot structure, then the latter may be adjusted the required amount to place it into firm con tact with the ground without disturbing the horizontal position of the planking.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, it will be seen from FIG. 1 that the scaffolding construction of the present invention includes basically a single, generally central tower 10, horizontally disposed sets of planking a,ao2,751

such as 12 and 14, which are supported at their centers upon the tower and which extend laterally in opposite directions therefrom, and vertically oriented ladder-like end support means 18 and 20, which support the extended ends of the various sets of planking. It will be noted that the tower 10 is attached to and rests upon a pallet type of base structure 22, and that the end supports 18 and 20 have feet structure 24 and 26 at their bottom extremity, upon which they rest.

The nature of the tower 10 will be perceived from examining FIGS. 1, 3 and 7. From FIG. 1 it will be apparent that the tower is basically rectangular in overall shape, and also is generally rectangular in cross section. It is a stable, free-standing structure preferably formed from steel rods or iron pipe or like material, having four upright elongate struts 28, 30, 32, and 34, which have cross-bracing at regular intervals. These include bottom braces 36, 37, 38 and 39, and upper sets of braces 40, 41, 42 and 43, and 44, 45, 46, and 47. As indicated, the sets of braces are positioned at the sides of the tower, between the upright struts and opposite each other at regular height intervals. It is upon the upper brace pairs 41) and 42, and 44 and 46, that the sets of planking 12 and 14 respectively, are rested and supported, in a manner more thoroughly described hereinafter. It will be further noted that pairs of generally horizontal struts 52 and 54, and 5658 are attached to the tower at bottom braces 36 and 38, respectively, and extend outwardly to attach to the lower portion of vertical support means 18 and 20, respectively. Further, diagonal strut pairs 60-62 and 6466 attach to the tower at the same respective braces and extend upwardly to attach to the end portion of planking set 12, as is more fully set forth hereinafter.

The nature of the ladder-like end support means 18 and 20, which are alike in all essential details, will appear from studying FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of these supports basically includes a pair of vertically-oriented side struts 68 and '70. A series of cross-rungs 72 are preferably positioned between struts 68 and 70 at predetermined heights which correspond to the heights of the pairs of tower braces 40-42 and 4446. Thus, the extended ends of each of the planking sets 12, 14, and 16 may rest upon the appropriate cross-rungs 72, and will be supported thereby at the same level at which the tower braces support the center part of the planking. Each of the planking sets are preferably secured at their extended ends to the vertical support means 18 and 20, in addition to being supported upon cross-rungs 72. This also serves to hold the vertical supports in position since these structures, like the ladders they resemble, will not stand alone, unaided. The attachment of the planking to the supports 18 and 20 is shown in FIG. 2 where it is seen that the end of the planking and the struts 68 and 70 are correspondingly drilled to permit a bolt 74 or other conventional securing means to be inserted therethrough.

As regards the lowermost planking set 12, a series of transverse holes 75 may be formed in it near its extended end, and these cooperate with holes formed in diagonal strut 60 in the manner shown to permit bolt means '76 to be inserted therethrough to secure the diagonal strut to the planking. This arrangement is designed to add strength and structural rigidity to the scaffolding structure while nonetheless permitting the structure to be laterally extended when desired, upon which occasion the bolt means 76 may be removed and reinserted and again fastened through other sets of holes in the planking and struts when the planking has been extended to the desired degree.

The nature of the extendable planking sets and the manner in which they are secured near their centers to the central tower 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Here it is seen that the planking itself is basically of a conven tional nature which has heretofore found extensive use in interior painting, paper hanging, window washing, and

the like. The planking sets consist of parallel, spaced slat means which are held in closely adjacent relation by a pair of metal or other bands 78. Alternating adjacent slats are connected together at their outer ends, in this case as by the transverse bolts 74 shown in FIG. 2, which secure the ends of the planking to the vertical support means 18 and 24). Thus, each set of planking is longitudinally extendable to any extent desired, simply by sliding one of its portions laterally away from the tower and away from its other portion.

The sets of extendable planking not only rest upon tower braces such as 40 and 42, but are secured to these braces by means of the clamping apparatus shown at 80. As seen in both FIGS. 3 and 4, the clamping apparatus 8-1) includes a generally flat upper bridging piece 82 which is placed atop the particular planking set to be retained preferably extending across its entire width; and also a substantially perpendicular flat end portion 84 attached to upper piece 82. The part of end portion 84 which extends below piece 82 abuts the side of the planking set, and the part extending above the upper piece carries U- bolt means for anchoring the entire apparatus to the upright tower struts 28 and 34.

This U-bolt means includes a U-bolt 86 and a saddle block 88 which is inserted over the legs of the U-bolt. Block 88 has an interior configuration arranged to accommodate the configuration of the strut 28, against which it fits. The two ends of the U-boat 86 protrude through spaced holes in the end portion 84, and suitable nuts 90 are threaded upon them, by which the apparatus may be made fast upon the strut.

The opposite ends of the clamping apparatus 3% includes a second U-bolt assembly having a saddle block 92, a U-bolt 94, and securing nuts 96 threaded upon the ends of the U-bolt. I also find it desirable to include a mast 93, which is integral with or attached to the block 92 and which extends vertically a distance above the clamp 80. Mast 98 supports the horizontal hand rope 99 shown in the complete scaffolding of FIG. 1, all in the manner illustrated.

As will be appreciated, when the scaffolding is being assembled, the planking sets are placed upon the tower braces, and the clamping apparatus 80 is placed over the planking, U-bolt 86 being made tight upon the upright struts. The planking is then retained against sidewise motion by end portion 84, and saddle block 92 on the other end of the clamp. When it is desired to extend the planking to widen the scaifolding structure, U-bolt 94 is loosened somewhat from the upper brace which it encircles, and this allows the planking to be slid longitudinally away from the tower beneath plate 82. When the planking has been extended the desired amount, U-bolt 94 is once again drawn tight upon the upper brace, and plate 80 then bears downward against the planking to prevent any undesired extension or retraction thereof.

The lower portion of one of the ladder-like end sup port means (for illustration, that designated 18) is shown in FIG. 5. Here it is seen that side strut 68 is attached to foot structure 24 by bolting an adjusting extension 100 to the strut near its bottom extremity. The extension 106 is firmly secured to a generally flat platform structure 102 which provides a base for the strut 68 and, consequently, the support means 18. It is to be noted that both the side strut and the extension 10% has a series of holes drilled therethrough which extend longitudinally of the two members. These holes make possible the vertical adjustment of the foot structure 2 4 relative to the side struts, by removing the bolts or other conventonal pin means fastening the strut to the extension, and replacing them in whichever holes become aligned under the particular circumstances. The horizontal struts such as 52 and 54 which extend from the tower to the end support means are conveniently secured to the latter by the same bolts fastening the side struts to the adjusting extensions, as FIG. 5 illustrates. The horizontal struts must be longitudinally extendable, and consequently a telescoping member such as that here illustrated is preferred, there being a suitable clamping member 104 to permit desired extensions of the strut while preventing undesired extensions or retractions thereof.

As seen in both FIGS. 5 and 6, the platform structure 1132 of foot structure 24 includes a generally rectangular aperture 106 formed therethrough generally centrally of the platform. A wheel means 108 is mounted within the aperture 106, preferably by means of a hinge such as is shown at 110. The hinge 110 preferably is secured to the bottom of platform 102 and extends upwardly through aperture 106 (FIG. 6). The wheel means 108 includes a wheel 112 rotatably secured to a tongue means 114, which in turn is fastened to the hinge 11%. The tongue means 114 preferably has a straight and flat upper surface. An elongate, flat slide 116 (FIG. 6) is pivotally attached to one end to the bottom of platform 102. The normal position of the slide 116 (shown in phantom) is diagonally across aperture 106, where it prevents the wheel means 108 from pivoting therethrough. When it is desired to use the wheel means for moving the foot structure 24 and manoeuvring the entire end of the scaffolding construction, the slide 116 is pushed to one side, allowing the wheel to drop through the aperture into contact with the ground, and the slide is then pushed back into position across the aperture above the straight top of the tongue means 114. In this position, the slide prevents the wheel from being pushed back through the aperture, and consequently the wheel is secured into position between slide 116 and the ground itself. When there is no desire to use the wheel means, slide 116 is pushed aside, allowing the wheel means to pivot upward through the aperture 106. The slide is then pushed back across the aperture, where it maintains the wheel means up- Wardly within the aperture, preventing it from dropping into contact with the ground.

The preferred manner of fastening the tower 111 to its pallet 22 is shown in FIG. 7. Here upright struts 28 and 30 are shown, together with certain of the bottom tower braces, including brace 36. The pallet 22 itself is generally of a known design and is preferably made of hardwood or the like. The pallet is basically a platform-like structure, including transverse members designated generally 118, and a plurality of upper and lower longitudinal members, designated 121 and 122, respectively, which are all secured together to form a rigid platform. It will be noted that the outermost members 120 at the edges of the pallet have a second like member positioned atop each of them, and these are designated 124 and 126. It is upon these second members that the upright struts 28-34 of the tower are actually supported, and for this purpose anchor means 128 are provided. The anchors 128 are basically a flat bottom mounting plate which is secured to the second members 124 and 126 by conventional means such as bolts, and the anchors further include an upright tubular receptacle rigidly secured to the mounting late, for receiving the end extremities of the elongate struts 28, 30, etc., as illustrated.

As FIG. 7 indicates, second member 124 is secured to outermost longitudinal member 1213, lying directly beneath it, by means of hinges 136]. The hinges are bolted or similarly fastened to each of the superposed longitudinal members. There is no other interconnection between the structural members 121) and 124 and consequently the latter member together with its attached anchors 128 may pivot relative to adjacent longitudinal member 120, as shown in the figure. Consequently, it will be seen that the entire tower and scaffolding construction may be pivoted relative to the pallet 22 upon which it is supported.

It will be seen from FIG. 7 that the horizontal struts such as 52 and 54 and the diagonal struts such as 60 and 62, which have been briefly described previously in connection with FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, are mounted at one of their ends to the tower 1t) at its bottom braces such as 36. It will further be observed that the bottom braces have an integral mounting flange 132 extending outwardly therefrom near each end of the brace. The mounting flanges 132 have appropriate bolt holes formed therein, by virtue of which the ends of struts 52 and 61) (for example) are securely bolted to the brace.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, the lower extremity of the upright strut 3t (and also identical strut 32) are not fixedly secured to the allet. Instead, the associated pair of anchors 128 are secured to second longitudinal member 126 in a position to receive the ends of struts 3t) and 32 when the same are lowered toward the pallet. It will be appreciated that this occurs when the entire tower and scaffolding structure is pivoted upon second longitudinal member 124 by the hinges 131 about one end of the pallet. When the tower is pivoted to bring struts 311 and 32 into resting engagement with their associated anchors 128, the weight of the entire scaffolding structure will generally maintain the struts in this position, and there will be no opposite pivoting movement of the tower and scaffolding unless initiated by external forces. However, in order that there be no inadvertent or undesired pivoting of the tower. a latch or lock means is provided.

The latch 134 or other similar desired means is shown in FIG. 1. Latch 134 is rotatably fixed about brace 37, and is arranged to be resiliently flexed underneath the outermost longitudinal pallet member directly be neath second member 126. In this position, the hooked end of the latch 134 fastens securely underneath the longitudinal member and prevents the possibility of any backward pivoting of the tower upon the hinges. It will be noted that cross-brace 37 of FIG. 1 preferably carries a generally cylindrical roller means 136. This is a somewhat resilient member that is rollably mounted upon the brace 37, and it is intended to facilitate the handling of the scaffolding structure by means of a fork-lift truck or the like, in a manner to be subsequently explained.

Having now fully set forth the structural details of my scaffolding construction, its assembly and operation is accomplished as follows. Upon beginning a construction or maintenance operation, the pallet 22 is first laid flat upon the ground. Member 124 is pivoted upon hinges 139 to a position wherein the anchors 123 lie approximately perpendicular to the pallet. The tower 11B is then moved into position upon the anchors while lying substantially horizontal upon the ground. It should be noted here that if desired, the tower may be of the type having cubical sections which are joined together as needed, or it may be a permanent single structure.

With the tower engaging its anchors on hinged member 124, the various sets of extendable planking such as 12 and 14 are placed in position atop the pairs of upper braces l-0 42, 44-46, etc. (obviously, the tower may have a total height exceeding that shown, and may accommodate more sets of planking than two). The ends of the different planking sets are extended until those on each side of the tower are aligned, at which time the two end support means 18 and 20 are attached thereto by mounting bolts 74. The support means 18 and 2d are then moved apart to extend the sets of planking and give the scaflolding structure its desired width for the particular job. At thi width, the clamping means 81) are securely tightened to clamp the planking to the tower braces. Also, diagonal struts 61B and 62 (FIGS. 1 and 2) at one side of the tower and 64 and 66 at the other side of the tower are secured to planking set 12, by properly aligning the holes in the struts and the planking, and. inserting connecting bolts 76 therethrough. Horizontal struts 52 and 54, and 56 and 58, are extended from the tower and are attached to each of the side struts such as 68 and 7d of the two support means 18 and 20 (FIG. 5). The complete scaffold ing structure is then substantially assembled, and is ready to be erected into proper position atop the pallet.

If the over-all size of the scaffolding is not unduly large, it may be hoisted upward manually by the workmen themselves. In most cases, however, the size of the scaffolding will tend to preclude this, and instead a fork-lift truck is brought into operation. The truck is driven towards the pallet from its side opposite the hinges and horizontally extending tower. Suitable runners (not shown) such as ordinary planks or the like are inserted into the spaces between transverse members 118 of the pallet and rested atop the bottom longitudinal members 122 thereof. The fork-lift then drives onto the runners, and consequently its weight insures that the pallet remains stationary. Cable from a conventional Windlass on the fork-lift is then run out, and the hook at the end thereof engaged with one of the upper tower cross-braces, such as for example that indicated at 47, at the top of the tower. The Windlass is then operated to retract its cable, and in so doing raises the entire scaffolding structure upon its hinges 13f toward the fork-lift truck, until the tower and the scaffolding attain a position which is so nearly vertical as to cause the continued movement thereof due to its own weight.

At this time, the lifting forks of the truck are then positioned immediately below the roller means 136 shown in FIG. 1. Consequently, the entire scaffolding construction becomes supported upon these forks, which are then slowly lowered until the lower ends of upright struts 3i) and 32 come into engagement with their associated anchors 128 affixed to the pallet 22. Since the path of motion of cross-brace 37 (upon which roller 136 is mounted) during the raising or lowering of the tower is actually circular in nature, about the hinges 13s as a center, this crossbrace will actually turn slightly as it is lowered, and if it were not for roller 136, which revolves smoothly about on brace 37, there would be considerable harsh grinding of the brace against the lifting fork. It is for this reason that roller 136 i included.

Once the tower has been raised completely into posi tion upon the pallet, latch means 134 is fastened in place and the scaffolding construction is essentially ready for use. At this time, the forklift truck backs away from the runners previously described, and they are removed. The truck then approaches the structure once again, lowers its lifting fork, and inserts it into the spaces bounded by the various transverse members 113 and the upper and lower longitudinal members 126 and 122 of the pallet. In this position, the truck is capable of raising the entire scaffolding construction upon its lift. The entire scaffolding is raised accordingly, and moved about by the truck into the desired position near the wall or building which is to be Worked upon. As the work progresses, other movements may easily and swiftly be made of the entire structure by a simple and direct operation of the fork-lift truck.

Whenever the scaffolding construction has been placed into position, the foot means 24 and 26 may be adjusted relative to their associated end support means 18 and 2d, respectively. This is easily accomplished by removing the bolts or other securing means which fasten the foot means extensions 1% to the particular upright strut (such as 6%) involved, ositioning the foot means upon the ground, and then re-aligning the two associated members and reinserting the bolts in the appropriate coincident pairs of holes. Quite clearly, this greatly enhances the use of the structure, since regardless of irregularities in the ground underneath the scaffolding, the scaffolding itself is completely steady, and its planking units remain substantially horizontal, even though the surface of the ground beneath the structure is irregular and the pallet and foot means are all on different levels.

At any installation and at any point in a given work operation, the scaffolding may be made wider. This is quickly accomplished by loosening the various clamping apparatus 8ft holding the particular planking units to be extended, loosening and removing the bolt means 76 connecting the diagonal struts such as of and 62 to the lower planking unit, and loosening the clamping means 1% upon the telescopically extendable horizontal struts such as 52 and 54. In addition, the wheel means 1&3 in each of the foot means 24 and 26 may be brought into operation in extending the structure, by moving the slide 116 to one side and allowing the tongue 114 and wheel 112 to drop into position, in the manner explained previously. The entire side of the scaffolding may then be extended away from the tower a desired amount, at which time the clamping apparatus 89 are again retightened and made fast to securely hold the planking units against any undesired extension. The clamping members 1% on the horizontal struts are rte-tightened, and the diagonal struts are once again placed into position by their attaching bolts '76. This feature is again brought into operation whenever it is desired to move the structure a considerable distance, or to store it for extended periods of time. In such instances, the scaffolding may be laterally contracted toward the central tower 10 into a very compact unitary structure.

It should now be obvious that the present scaffolding construction provides at once scaffolding which is much safer to use, is steadier and more rigid and secure, and which effects great savings in the time required to erect it initially and to move it subsequently. It may well be that upon studying this specification, other equally desirous advantages of this novel scaffolding will appear to those skilled in the art, and that certain modifications and alterations to the specific form of the structure presented herein as a preferred embodiment will suggest themselves. All such modifications in detail which are based upon and include the spirit of this invention are therefore to be considered a part of it, unless the claims appended herebelow by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower having structure-supporting means at a plurality of predetermined heights; generally horizontally disposed planking secured in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower supporting means and extending laterally away from opposite sides of the tower; a pair of vertically-disposed, non-freestanding end structures, each having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower supporting means; one of said vertical end structures positioned at each of the extended ends of said planking; said planking extending from one of said end structures to the other end across said tower to provide a platform thereupon; each of the ends of the planking being secured to the corresponding end structure by said attaching means and supported thereby at said predetermined heights, whereby said vertical end structure is in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, and a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which may be moved integrally from place to place.

2. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at a plurality of predetermined heights; generally horizontally disposed longitudinally extendable planking units in vertical arrestment upon at least some of. said tower support means and extending laterally away from opposite sides of the tower; releasable clamping means for securing said planking to said tower support means at desired extended positions against further extension thereof; a pair of vertically-disposed, non-freestanding end support structures each having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower support means; one of said vertical end support structures positioned at each of the said extended ends of said planking; said planking extending from one of said end structures to the other end across said tower to provide a platform thereupon; each of the ends of the planking being secured to the corresponding vertical end structure by said attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which may be moved integrally from place to place and which may by releasing said clamping means be adjusted laterally by extension of said planking units.

3. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at predetermined heights; a pallet structure pivotally connected to said tower for supporting same, including means for locking the tower in vertical position upon the pallet against undesired pivotal movement relative thereto; generally horizontally disposed planking secured in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower support means and extending laterally away from the tower; vertically-disposed, nonfree-standin g end support structure having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower support means; said vertical end support structure positioned at the said extended ends of said planking; said planking ends being secured to said vertical end structure by said attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which may be assembled on the ground and raised into position by said pivotal connection.

4. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at predetermined heights; a pallet structure pivotally connected to said tower for supporting same, including means for locking the tower in vertical position upon the pallet against undesired pivotal movement relative thereto; generally horizontally disposed longitudinally extendable planking units in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower support means and extending laterally away from the tower; clamping means for securing said planking to said tower support means at desired extended positions against further extension thereof; vertic'ally-disposed, non-freestanding end support structure having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower support means; said vertical end support structure positioned at said extended ends of said planking; said planking ends being secured to said vertical end structure by said attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which may be assembled on the ground and raised into position by said pivotal connection.

5. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single tree-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at a plurality of predetermined heights; generally horizontally disposed planking secured in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower support means and extending laterally away from opposite sides of the tower; a pair of vertically-disposed, non-free-standing end support structures, each having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as one of said tower support means; said vertical end support structures positioned at each of the said extended ends of said planking; said planking extending from one of said end structures to the other end across said tower to provide a platform thereupon; each of the ends of the planking being secured to the corresponding vertical end structure by said attaching means; said vertical end support structure having foot means for resting upon the ground, and further having means for adjusting the vertical position of said foot means relative to the predetermined heights of the said supporting and attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which readily accommodates surface irregularities by adjustment of the said position of the support structure foot means which may be moved integrally from place to place.

6. A tor-n1 of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single tree-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at a plurality of predetermined heights; generally horizontally disposed longitudinally extendable planking units in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower support means and extending laterally away from opposite sides of the tower; releasable clamping means for securing said planking to said tower support means at. desired extended positions against further extension thereof; a pair of vertically disposed, nonfree-standing end support structures each having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower support means; one of said vertical end support structure positioned at each of the said extended. ends of said planking; said planking extending from one of said end structures to the other end across said tower to provide a platform thereupon; each of the ends of the planking being secured to the corresponding vertical end structure by said attach ing means; said vertical end support structure having foot means for resting upon the ground, and further having means for adjusting the vertical position of said foot means relative to the predetermined heights of the said supporting and attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which readily accommodates surface irregularities by adjustment of the said position of the support. structure foot means, which may be moved integrally from place to place, and which may by releasing said clamping means be adjusted laterally by extension of said planking units.

7. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at predetermined heights; a pallet structure pivotally connected to said tower for supporting same, including means for locking the tower in vertical position upon the pallent against undesired pivotal movement relative thereto; generally horizontally disposed planking secured in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower support means and extending laterally away from the tower; verticallydisposed, non-freestanding end support structure having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower support means, said vertical support structure positioned at the said extended ends of said planking; said planking ends being secured to said vertical structure by said attaching means; said vertical support structure having foot means for resting upon the ground, and further having means for adjusting the vertical position of said foot means relative to the predetermined heights of the said supporting and attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking, whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding structure results which may be assembled on the ground and raised into position by said pivotal cor1- nection, and which readily accommodates surface irregularities by adjustment of the said position of the sup-port structure foot means.

8. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal support means at predetermined heights; a pallet structure pivotally connected to said tower for supporting same, including means for locking the tower in vertical position upon the pallet against undesired pivotal movement relative thereto; generally horizontally disposed longitudinally extendable planking units in vertical arrestment upon at least some of said tower support means and exetending laterally away from the tower; vertically-disposed, non-free-standing end support structure having supporting and attaching means at substantially the same predetermined heights as said tower support means; said vertical end support structure positioned at the said extended ends of said planking; said planking ends being secured to said vertical end structure by said attaching means; said vertical end support structure having foot means for resting upon the ground, and further having means for adjusting the vertical position of said foot means relative to the predetermined heights of the said supporting and attaching means; said extended planking ends being supported at desired heights by said vertical end structure; and said vertical end structure being in turn held in said vertical position by said planking whereby a substantially rigid scaffolding struc ture results which may be assembled on the ground and raised into position by said pivotal connection, and which readily accommodates surface irregularities by adjustment of the said position of the sup-port structure foot means.

9. A form of scaffolding construction, comprising in combination: a single free-standing vertical tower structure having horizontal brace members forming fixed supports at predetermined heights; horizontally disposed longitudinally extendable planking units restingly supported at their centers upon said tower brace members and extendable in opposite lateral directions therefrom; clamping means for fixedly securing said planking to said tower braces at desired extended positions against further extension therefrom; vertically-disposed ladder-like support structures having cross-members at substantially the same predetermined height as said tower braces; said ladder-like structures positioned at both extended ends of said planking; means for securing said planking ends to said cross-members; each of said ladder-like structures having feet by which they are supported upon the ground and each further having means for raising and lowering both the ladders and their cross-members integrally rela tive to the resting position of their said feet; a pallet structure pivotally connected to said tower for supporting same, including means for locking the tower in vertical position upon the pallet against undesired pivotal movement relative thereto; the extended ends of said planking being supported at desired heights by their connection to said ladder structure cross-members; and said ladder structures being in turn held in vertical position by the same said connection of cross-members and planking ends, whereby a substantially rigid extendable scaffolding structure results which may be assembled on the ground and raised into position by said pivotal connection, and which readily accommodates surface irregularities by raising and lowering the said resting positions of said ladder structure feet accordingly.

10. In a scaffolding construction of the type having at least one vertical tower with horizontal support braces secured thereto at predetermined heights and horizontallydisposed planking resting upon said tower support means, the improvement comprising: releasable clamping means for fixedly securing the said planking to the tower support means; said clamping means including a bridging portion for clampingly spanning said planking; U-bolt means structurally associated with one end of said bridging portion for securing same to said tower support brace; and U-bolt means structurally associated with the other end of said bridging portion for securing both it and said planking to said vertical tower, whereby the planking is securely but releasably clamped in a desired position against the said tower brace.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 974,686 11/1910 McGhan 182- 118 1,588,295 6/1926 Berman 182-1]8 1,763,766 6/1930 Erwin 182223 2,403,080 7/1946 Hilborn 52116 X 2,505,750 5/1950 Boggs 18217 2,556,611 6/1951 Borgman 182 223 2,820,561 1/1958 Meagher 18263 3,016,973 1/1962 Williamson 182-63 3,135,351 6/1964 Economos 182-119 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FORM OF SCAFFOLDING CONSTRUCTION, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A SINGLE FREE-STANDING VERTICAL TOWER HAVING STRUCTURE-SUPPORTING MEANS AT A PLURALITY OF PREDETERMINED HEIGHTS; GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PLANKING SECURED IN VERTICAL ARRESTMENT UPON AT LEAST SOME OF SAID TOWER SUPPORTING MEANS AND EXTENDING LATERALLY AWAY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE TOWER; A PAIR OF VERTICALLY-DISPOSED, NON-FREE-STANDING END STRUCTURES, EACH HAVING SUPPORTING AND ATTACHING MEANS AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PREDETERMINED HEIGHTS AS SAID TOWER SUPPORTING MEANS; ONE OF SAID VERTICAL END STRUCTURES POSITIONED AT EACH OF THE EXTENDED ENDS OF SAID PLANKING; SAID PLANKING EXTENDING FROM ONE OF SAID END STRUCTURES TO THE OTHER END ACROSS SAID TOWER TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM THEREUPON; EACH OF THE ENDS OF THE PLANKING BEING SECURED TO THE CORRESPONDING END STRUCTURE BY SAID ATTACHING MEANS AND SUPPORTED THEREBY AT SAID PREDETERMINED HEIGHTS, WHEREBY SAID VERTICAL END STRUCTURE IS IN TURN HELD IN SAID VERTICAL POSITION BY SAID PLANKING, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID SCAFFOLDING STRUCTURE RESULTS WHICH MAY BE MOVED INTEGRALLY FROM PLACE TO PLACE. 